Western Federal Headgear Observations

[ScottCross]

Re: Western Federal Headgear Observations

Concerning the 11th and 12th Corps, if you look at late war images of them it is amazing to see how many of these regiments had adapted the "Western Look" and began wearing hats also. Case in point, this image of Company H, 26th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, formerly of the 11th Corps and now the 20th Corps


Here is the link to the catalog record at my museum's website:

http://www.oshkoshmuseum.org/Virtual/exhibit3/e30018a.htm

[john duffer]

Re: Western Federal Headgear Observations

Well, it's not our Civil War but it is 1863 and Mexico is not that far away. I've been doing my yearly research on Camerone and noted that all the legionaires had adopted the local sombreros as prefered head wear but all still retained their issued kepis even in very light marching order.

[brown]

Re: Western Federal Headgear Observations

Mr Cross,
I've always liked that image. Is it just me, or are there two fellows in light colored hats and is the second man from our left who is truly standing against the back wall wearing a coat with buttons made of something other than brass?

[ScottCross]

Re: Western Federal Headgear Observations

Mr Cross,
I've always liked that image. Is it just me, or are there two fellows in light colored hats and is the second man from our left who is truly standing against the back wall wearing a coat with buttons made of something other than brass?

Good eye there, yes, two of them are wereing light colored hats and the fellow in the back row almost looks like he has cloth covered or hard rubber buttons on. That is an oddity.

[jake.koch]

Re: Western Federal Headgear Observations

I really like the attitude they seem to have in that image. This is just speculation on my part, but the caption stated the men were on their way home, could those uniforms and head gear be in such good shape because they drew new equipment after going through the Carolinas? Those hats look as if they are all brand new.

[ScottCross]

Re: Western Federal Headgear Observations

I really like the attitude they seem to have in that image. This is just speculation on my part, but the caption stated the men were on their way home, could those uniforms and head gear be in such good shape because they drew new equipment after going through the Carolinas? Those hats look as if they are all brand new.

Jake,

That is my conclusion also. Arnold only commanded that company briefly towards the end of the war and those certainly look like new hats and uniforms.

[Garrett Silliman]

Re: Western Federal Headgear Observations

In addition to the headgear, the number of frock coats is interesting. What's more, if these are newly issued uniforms, they didn't waste anytime modifying their collars. Interesting photo.

[BigRonFH]

Re: Western Federal Headgear Observations

My questions on the subject focus on a different aspect. My unit portrays a Regular Army unit, as opposed to a state Volunteer unit. I cannot help but think that Regular Army soldiers were held to much stricter adherence to regulations. Thus, the forage cap would be the "uniform of the day" when on fatigue or campaign duty. Am I wrong on this? As the Hardee hat was the designated "Dress" hat, I cannot see a Regular Army officer allowing it's use when the rest of his troops were properly attired in the correct (ie: forage) cap as directed by Army Regulations. Does this sound proper to anyone but me?

Ron Hopkins
Co D, 13th US Infantry Reg.
Dakota Territory

[brown]

Re: Western Federal Headgear Observations

Ron,
I haven't researched your regiment, but photos of the regular brigade of the Army of the Cumberland which I have seen and paid attention to show them looking largely like the volunteers around them. This includes at least two 1864 photos featuring largely unadorned dress hats.

[FortyRounder]

Re: Western Federal Headgear Observations

My questions on the subject focus on a different aspect. My unit portrays a Regular Army unit, as opposed to a state Volunteer unit. I cannot help but think that Regular Army soldiers were held to much stricter adherence to regulations. Thus, the forage cap would be the "uniform of the day" when on fatigue or campaign duty. Am I wrong on this? As the Hardee hat was the designated "Dress" hat, I cannot see a Regular Army officer allowing it's use when the rest of his troops were properly attired in the correct (ie: forage) cap as directed by Army Regulations. Does this sound proper to anyone but me?

Ron Hopkins
Co D, 13th US Infantry Reg.
Dakota Territory

The well-known photo of the 8th U.S. Infantry on provost guard duty at Army of the Potomac headquarters in June 1863 shows at least a couple in civilian hats instead of forage caps.

[ScottCross]

Re: Western Federal Headgear Observations

My questions on the subject focus on a different aspect. My unit portrays a Regular Army unit, as opposed to a state Volunteer unit. I cannot help but think that Regular Army soldiers were held to much stricter adherence to regulations. Thus, the forage cap would be the "uniform of the day" when on fatigue or campaign duty. Am I wrong on this? As the Hardee hat was the designated "Dress" hat, I cannot see a Regular Army officer allowing it's use when the rest of his troops were properly attired in the correct (ie: forage) cap as directed by Army Regulations. Does this sound proper to anyone but me?

Ron Hopkins
Co D, 13th US Infantry Reg.


Dakota Territory

Most of the images I have seen of members of King's Regular Brigade, Army of the Cumberland, shows them wearing forage caps. I have seen another image of two members together in a studio, but can't locate that one:
Daniel S. Wilder, Co. F., 18th U.S. Infantry, circa 1862

http://ahecwebdds.carlisle.army.mil/awweb/main.jsp?flag=browse&smd=1&awdid=11